{"id":"code-work-fin-explain-sumproduct-board","audience":"finance","category":"coding","track":"coding","technique":"audience","title":"Explain a SUMPRODUCT formula to a board member","free":false,"task":"A board member asked what the West revenue cell actually adds up. Paste the formula in one code block, then write exactly 3 numbered lines labeled Adds:, Which rows: and Units:, each one plain sentence with no function names or cell references, for someone who doesn't use spreadsheets. Under 60 words outside the code.","materialLabel":"The formula and the sheet it reads (attached to your prompt automatically)","material":"BOARD PACK - Revenue tab, cell C14 (label: \"West revenue\")\n\n=SUMPRODUCT((Sales!B2:B500=\"West\")*(Sales!D2:D500>=DATE(2026,7,1))*Sales!E2:E500)/1000\n\nSales sheet columns:\nA Order ID | B Region | C Rep | D Order date | E Net revenue (USD) | F Discount\n\nSample rows:\nSO-1102 | West | Ana Ortiz | 2026-06-28 | 18,400 | 5%\nSO-1140 | West | Raj Mehta | 2026-07-02 | 9,750 | 0%\nSO-1187 | East | Mei Wu | 2026-08-15 | 22,100 | 10%\nSO-1213 | West | Lou Grant | 2026-10-21 | 31,000 | 0%\n\nNotes:\n- The cell shows 1,412.6 in the October pack.\n- The pack used to report the second half only (July to December).\n- Built by an analyst who has since left.\n- Net revenue is after discounts.","rules":[{"type":"codeBlocks","count":1},{"type":"numberedItems","count":3},{"type":"maxProseWords","max":60}],"mistakes":[{"title":"Not saying who reads it","why":"The AI walks through SUMPRODUCT syntax that means nothing to a board member.","fix":"Add: \"For someone who doesn't use spreadsheets: no function names or cell references.\"","checks":["r2"]},{"title":"Leaving the shape open","why":"The AI writes a long breakdown with bullets inside bullets.","fix":"Add: \"Exactly 3 numbered lines labeled Adds:, Which rows:, Units:.\"","checks":["numberedItems","r0"]},{"title":"Not asking about the date range","why":"The AI mentions July 1 but doesn't point out there's no end date.","fix":"Add: \"Say exactly which dates are included, start and end.\"","checks":["r1"]},{"title":"Getting a menu of options","why":"The AI likes to offer two or three versions of the formula, so you're left to pick and test them yourself.","fix":"Add: \"Give one formula only, in one code block, no alternatives.\"","checks":["codeBlocks"]},{"title":"Getting a tutorial","why":"By default the AI explains every part of the code at length, which you then have to scroll past.","fix":"Add: \"After the code, one line under 20 words. Nothing else.\"","checks":["maxProseWords"]}],"promptHints":[{"label":"Says who it's for","patterns":["board","doesn't use spreadsheets|not a spreadsheet","non-?technical","plain"]},{"label":"Asks for labeled lines","patterns":["adds:","which rows","units:","labeled"]},{"label":"Asks for exactly 3 lines","patterns":["(3|three) (numbered )?lines","numbered"]},{"label":"Bans jargon","patterns":["no function names","no cell references","jargon"]}],"hint":"Say who the reader is and give the AI the three labeled lines you want, so it explains what's included instead of how SUMPRODUCT works.","rubricLabels":["The line labeled Adds: says it totals net revenue (after discounts) for orders in the West region","The line labeled Which rows: says it counts orders dated July 1, 2026 or later with no end date, so any later months are included too","The line labeled Units: says the result is in thousands of dollars (1,412.6 means about $1.41 million), and none of the 3 lines uses a function name (like SUMPRODUCT or DATE) or a cell reference"]}